The era of brand-obsession, in which brand and price tag trump design, seems to be ending fast. As tastes evolve and diversify, Chinese designers and brands are seeing increasing interest in their products at home.
Departures.com recently interviewed Nels Frye and asked him to estimate how many people at a Beijing party might be wearing a Chinese designer. Nels responded that the number might be from five to ten percent at a fashion party, which is saying something since I know Nels’ crowd is quite style setting – to say the least. This number may be low, but Chinese brands are definitely on the rise at home and abroad.
According to Women’s Wear Daily, Alexander Wang is set to open his second store right here in Beijing’s Sanlitun North village this coming April. Not only Wang’s second store globally, this will also be the first of fifteen stores, scheduled to open in Asia.
Chinese designer Jason Wu wowed at this past New York Fashion Week with his Chinese inspired fall-winter collection. Wu said returning to China to explore his roots was what really inspired the collection. According to AFP he described the collection of Mao inspired jackets and Qing dynasty silhouettes as his answer to “what is Chinese?†a question many are struggling to answer.
Artist Liu Bolin recently joined legendary designers Gaultier, Valentino, Lanvin, and Missoni for a ten page spread in the March 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar. Liu Bolin, who is famous for his ‘invisible’ photographs where he blends into his surroundings, used the same method for these coveted designers conveying the message of how great artist tend to get lost in their own work.
And lastly according to Luxuo Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy has been taking quite the interest in the brand Orchirly recently buying a ten per cent stake in the fashion brand for 200 million dollars.
So with all this excitement in Chinese designers we hope to see more emerge. With a population taking up one fifth of the world we might see the next Gianni Versace or Coco Chanel rising here.
Text: Caroline
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